Turkey Fryer Safety

Turkey Fryers Facts

• Cooking fires peak on Thanksgiving Day.


• Between 1998 and 2005, the Consumer Product Safety Commission had 112 reports of fires or burns related to turkey fryers.


• Most fires from turkey fryers occur while the oil is being heated, before the turkey is added.


• Contact with hot oil can cause serious burns.

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Holiday Fire Prevention

Trees

• When buying a live tree, check for freshness - green needles, trunk sticky with resin, and few lost needles when tapped on the ground.


• Never place a fresh Christmas tree next to a heat source. Heat dries out trees and makes them easier to catch on fire.


• Keep your tree stand filled with water at all times.


• When the tree gets dry, get rid of it. Look for a recycling center near you.


• Never burn a Christmas tree or its branches in a fireplace or wood stove.

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Cooking and Kitchen Safety - Fire Prevention

We have had numerous kitchen fires to respond to. One in particular was extinguished rapidly by a fast thinking and fast acting young lady. She knew in advance what to do so when she had to she jumped into action saving the home from any major structural damage and herself from any harm.

I know that just reading the above may not help you so please read the below and visit the linked site so you too will be properly prepared:

Cooking Safety

Families spend a lot of time in the kitchen. It is often the favorite place to be together. But many injuries can happen there. To stay safe when you are cooking and eating, here are some tips. http://www.homesafetycouncil.org/SafetyGuide/sg_cooking_w001.asp

Thanks, and stay safe!

Peter Kanavas - Contents Department Manager

Georgia Winter Weather Awareness Week: December 6-10, 2010

Winter storms are considered “deceptive killers” because most deaths are indirectly related to the storm. Seventy percent of fatalities related to ice and snow occur in automobiles, and approximately twenty-five percent of all winter-related fatalities are people caught off-guard in the storm. Prolonged exposure to extreme cold can cause frostbite or hypothermia. Powerful winter storms can also have thunderstorms associated with them. These storms can dump as much as three inches of snow or one inch of ice in an hour.  So how can you prepare for winter weather? Here are a few tips.

• Monitor radio/TV or NOAA Weather Radio.


• Stay inside. Long exposure to cold increases the risk of frostbite or hypothermia.


• If you must go out, dress in layers.


• Avoid overexertion. The strain from the cold may cause a heart attack and sweating could lead to a chill and hypothermia.


• Keep your gas tank at least half full.


• Drive with caution and carry a disaster supplies kit in your trunk.


• Have an alternative emergency heating source, such as a fireplace or wood stove. Use appropriate safeguards and have proper ventilation.


• Make sure your home is properly insulated.


• To keep pipes from freezing, wrap pipes in insulation or layers of old newspapers, cover the newspapers with plastic to keep out moisture, let faucets drip a little to avoid freezing, and know how to shut off water valves.

Candle Facts & Safety

Candle Fire Facts:

• Candles start more than 13,000 home fires each year.


• Most candle fires start in the bedroom.



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National Fire Prevention Week: October 3rd - 9th, 2010

SMOKE ALARM FACTS:

• Having a working smoke alarm cuts the risk of dying in a home fire in half.


• Nine out of 10 homes have smoke alarms, but millions of those alarms do not work.

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National Preparedness Month September 2010

 

This September is the seventh annual National Preparedness Month.  NPM 2010 will focus on changing perceptions about emergency preparedness and will help Americans understand what it truly means to be ready and how preparedness goes beyond fire alarms, smoke detectors, and extra food in the pantry.

Learn more about making a disaster supply kit, making a family emergency plan, staying informed and how you can get involved!

Champion Responds to Stockbridge Fire

 

    On August 14th, a fire ripped through a Stockbridge, GA home destroying almost everything in it's path. The fire was started by a lightning strike in the back of the house. Paul Samuelvich from Champion Construction Systems, Inc. was on the seen to board up the few windows and doors that remained.

How to Communicate With Your Insurance Company

The following is excellent advice from the organization United Policyholders. They are a consumer advocate group. This information is directly from their website www.unitedpolicyholders.com  I have highlighted some things that Champion has been telling customers for years.

Speak Up - How to communicate with your insurance company:

Effectively communicating with your insurance company is an incredibly important part of the claims process. Many insurance companies will try to handle your claim by telephone, with no records. You must make sure that everything in the claim gets documented in writing. How you communicate makes a world of difference in the amount of benefits you collect and how fast you collect them. We recommend that you:

1. Document every communication with your insurance company in a notebook or diary so you can keep track of the status of your claim.

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Escape That Second Story

I've been in the fire restoration business for 16 years now. I can thankfully say that I have never been part of restoring a home where there was a loss of a life. I can't even begin to imagine the hurt that results when a family member losses their life due to a fire.It's good to keep in mind, especially when it comes to fire, that time is critical. Within 60 seconds a whole house can be engulfed in flames.

When any emergency occurs we have basically three choices: 1) Do nothing 2) Let our emotions get the best of us and act unrationally (that's like "stupid") 3) Remain calm and act with common sense and purpose

I read an article recently that reminded me of an important tool that everyone with a second or third story in their home should have - a fire escape ladder.

You can purchase one very inexpensively (especially compared to the value of a life!) at a website called www.fireescapesystems.com.

They can be purchased in several different styles, and depending on your particular needs, range from under $100 to a little over $300. Please buy one for each 2nd or 3rd story bedroom in your home.2 stp

Of course, I'd never want to suggest that these ladders could be used for any other purpose than escaping a fire. But I'm sure that some of you with some imagination will have some ideas!

Larry Banach - Construction Manager